It's actually a consumer-level (i.e. not pro) zoom but it was what I could afford at the time. At f/4.5-5.6 it still serves my needs pretty well. The auto-focus can be a tad slow to lock on but color, IQ, bokeh, etc are very nice.

But for birding I still wish I had faster and more reach. Maybe some day.

I had been after the goats for 5 years. They are very hard to see and even harder to get in somewhat of a good shooting range. This was me on the side of a hill and them on the other side. I was trying to hand hold my 300mm and keep from sliding down the mountain side. I would make a noise and they would move away a few more yards..

Elk "Practice Fight"

A couple of 2 or 3 year olds. Not ready for the "Big Leagues" but jousting with someone in the same weight class.

Black Elk.. The Black on the horns and grey body is from rolling in some very smelly mud. If you are downwind from the mud marsh you will know it. Nasty & very stinky stuff...

Rounding Up The Girls - Big Bull Keeping the Harem in check... Heavy crop on this one.. they were 500+ yards away.

...An' dat Lady in the above picture better HOPE dat Kitteh IS NOT as Peeved about his Situation as he looks...Otherwise, she could end up w/some nice new impromptu Facial Surgery, coutesy of said Kitteh...